Field trip to Clover Valley Farm
Saturday, April 11, 10am
Register at: https://go.rutgers.edu/stf3j6x6
Fruit Crops Edition
Seasonal updates on diseases, insects, weeds impacting tree fruit and small fruit (blueberry, cranberry, and wine grape). Fruit Pest Alerts are also available via this category feed.
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March 15, 2026 Janine Spies
SOUTH JERSEY CALIBRATION GROWERS MEETING
March 25, 2026
2:30 pm – 6:00 pm
Rutgers Agricultural Research & Extension Center
121 Northville Road
Bridgeton, NJ
Program
Program Chair
Janine Spies, Rutgers Cooperative Extension
Statewide Program Leader in Fruit IPM
2:30 – Registration
3:00 – Welcome and Introductions
3:15 – Airblast Sprayer Calibration Techniques
Chris Lovenduski, Central Jersey Equipment
4:15 – Early season management in peaches
Anne Nielsen PhD, Professor & Extension Specialist in Entomology
4:45 – Light fare & refreshments (Pre-registration required)
5:00 – Coverage Counts: How to make the most of a pesticide application
Karly Regan PhD, Certis Biologicals
5:30 – Pesticide Safety and Regulations for Specialty Crops
Janine Spies PhD, Rutgers Cooperative Extension
6:00 – Pesticide Recertification Credits and Adjourn. Attendees must be present for the entire program in order to apply for NJDEP credits.
THE FOLLOWING NJDEP PESTICIDE RECERTIFICATION CREDITS WILL BE AWARDED
4 CAT-10 4 CAT-1A 3 CAT-3A 4 CORE 4 PP2
Click here to register: South Jersey Calibration Event Registration – Fill out form
PRE-REGISTRATION BY March 18, 2026
Registration cost per person is $10. Cash or check (made payable to Rutgers The State University) will be collected at the door.
If you have any questions please contact Janine Spies: (352)-231-6330, janine.spies@rutgers.edu
March 15, 2026 Janine Spies
NORTH JERSEY CALIBRATION GROWERS MEETING
March 24, 2026
2:30 pm – 6:00 pm
Snyder Research & Extension Farm
140 Locust Grove Road
Pittstown, NJ
Program
Program Chair
Janine Spies, Rutgers Cooperative Extension
Statewide Program Leader in Fruit IPM
2:30 – Registration
3:00 – Welcome and Introductions
3:15 – Airblast Sprayer Calibration Techniques
Chris Lovenduski, Central Jersey Equipment
4:15 – Importance of Calibration for Optimal Pest Control and Resistance Management
Kaitlin Quinn, Rutgers Cooperative Extension
4:45 – Light fare & refreshments (Pre-registration required)
5:00 – Coverage Counts: How to make the most of a pesticide application
Karly Regan PhD, Certis Biologicals
5:30 – Pesticide Safety and Regulations for Specialty Crops
Janine Spies PhD, Rutgers Cooperative Extension
6:00 – Pesticide Recertification Credits and Adjourn. Attendees must be present for the entire program in order to apply for NJDEP credits.
THE FOLLOWING NJDEP PESTICIDE RECERTIFICATION CREDITS WILL BE AWARDED
4 CAT-10 4 CAT-1A 4 CAT-3A 5 CORE 4 PP2
Click here to register: North Jersey Calibration Event Registration – Fill out form
PRE-REGISTRATION BY March 18, 2026
Registration cost per person is $10. Cash or check (made payable to Rutgers The State University) will be collected at the door.
If you have any questions please contact Kim Crommelin: (908)-788-1338, kfrey@co.hunterdon.nj.us
March 10, 2026 Claudia Gil Arroyo
Networks to Reduce Risk Field Trip – April 11
Field trip to Clover Valley Farm
Saturday, April 11, 10am
Register at: https://go.rutgers.edu/stf3j6x6
March 9, 2026 Janine Spies
Bird Damage and Laser-Based Deterrents for Eastern Fruit Growers
Bird damage continues to be a significant challenge for many fruit growers across the eastern United States. A multi-state team of researchers, including Rutgers Cooperative Extension, is preparing a grant proposal to evaluate the use of laser-based bird deterrent systems as a tool to reduce bird damage in fruit crops.
The goal of this project is to better understand how lasers can safely deter birds from feeding and roosting in crop fields, while also developing practical guidelines and cost analyses to help growers determine whether this technology could work for their operations.
To help shape this project, we are asking fruit growers to complete a short survey (six questions) about bird damage and current management practices. Your input will help strengthen the grant proposal and ensure the research focuses on real challenges faced by growers. Growers who complete the survey may also indicate interest in participating in future on-farm field trials.
Grower participation is essential.
If you are willing to help, please complete the survey here: https://rutgers.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4It65is1tUeuSFw
If you have any questions, please contact Matthew Milburn at matthew.milburn@rutgers.edu.
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